# US 2010/0163607 A1 · Device for igniting an alumino-thermal composition, crucible containing same and related methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2010/0163607 A1 - Document ID: US20100163607A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/529,964 - Filed: 2008-02-18 - Published: 2010-07-01 - Earliest claimed: 2007-03-06 - Assignees: Railtech International - Inventors: Francis Viseur; Jean-Jacques Thuru; Lionel Winiar - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20100163607A1 ## CPC - B23K 23/00: Alumino-thermic welding - B23K: SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM ## Abstract The invention relates to a device for igniting an aluminothermic composition, characterized in that it comprises an electric resistor for connecting two electrodes and to be supplied by an electric current source of in order to generate heat by a Joule effect, said electric resistor being exposed to a medium comprising oxygen and carbon so that the temperature rise of the medium by the resistor results in the formation of carbon monoxide, and then in an exothermal reaction of the latter with oxygen, thus generating a flame capable of igniting of the aluminothermic composition. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for igniting an aluminothermic composition, comprising an electric resistor connecting two electrodes and intended to be powered with an electric current source in order to cause release of heat via the Joule effect, said electric resistor being exposed to a medium comprising oxygen and carbon so that the rise in temperature of the medium by the resistor causes formation of carbon monoxide and then an exothermic reaction of the latter with oxygen, causing the occurrence of a flame capable of igniting the aluminothermic composition. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the resistor comprises carbon. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the formation of carbon monoxide is at least partly effected from the carbon comprised in the resistor. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The device of claim 3, wherein the resistor (40) comprises an insulating support bearing carbon fibers. ### Claim 5 (canceled) ### Claim 6 (canceled) ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The device of claims 2, wherein the support bears the carbon fibers around it and is forcibly inserted between the electrodes. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The device of claim 7, wherein the support is elastically compressible. ### Claim 9 (canceled) ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device of claims 1, wherein the oxygen is from the ambient air. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, including a passage for providing ambient air. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The device of claim 11, wherein the passage opens out in the vicinity of the resistor. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The device of claims 1, wherein an element forming a barrier to solids is provided around the resistor. ### Claim 14 (canceled) ### Claim 15 (canceled) ### Claim 16 (canceled) ### Claim 17 (canceled) ### Claim 18 (canceled) ### Claim 19 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the electrodes are in steel. ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The device of claims 1, characterized in that the resistor is a preformed capsule. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, characterized in that it including a sealed casing containing a priming aluminothermic composition dose and mounted on a base in which the electrodes are mounted. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The device of claim 21, wherein the casing is made in a material for which the melting point is substantially below the temperature reached by the aluminothermic reaction of the priming dose. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The device of claim 22, wherein the casing is made as a single piece in aluminium or aluminium alloy. ### Claim 24 (depends on 10, 21) The device of claim 21 taken in combination with claim 10, wherein the passage is formed in a wall of the casing. ### Claim 25 (canceled) ### Claim 26 (canceled) ### Claim 27 (canceled) ### Claim 28 (canceled) ### Claim 29 (depends on 1) A method for igniting an aluminothermic composition, comprising the steps consisting of placing in proximity to the composition, a device according to claim 1, and of supplying electric current to the resistor of this device, the flame generated at the resistor directly triggering off the aluminothermic reaction. ### Claim 30 (depends on 21) A method for igniting a main aluminothermic composition, comprising the steps consisting of placing in proximity to the composition, a device according to claim 21, and of supplying electric current to the resistor of this device, the flame generated at the resistor triggering off an aluminothermic reaction at the priming dose, itself followed by at least partial melting of the casing letting incandescent molten metal from said reaction propagate towards the main aluminothermic composition. ### Claim 31 (depends on 29) A method for aluminothermic welding of profiles such as railway rails, in which an aluminothermic composition dose is placed in a crucible surmounting a mold defining with two profile ends facing each other, a molding cavity, characterized in that the aluminothermic reaction is triggered off in said dose by means of a method according to claim 29. ### Claim 32 (canceled) ### Claim 33 (canceled) ### Claim 34 (canceled) ### Claim 35 (canceled) ### Claim 36 (depends on 1) A crucible assembly for an aluminothermic reaction, capable of being adjusted above a mold for welding profiles such as railway rails, comprising an ignition device according to claim 1. ### Claim 37 (canceled) ### Claim 38 (canceled)